ISU upsets Kansas

Iowa State just upset Kansas at home 72-64. They are now 5-3 in the Big 12 and 15-6 overall. This is of course pertinent because of Michigan's win over ISU earlier in the year. I don't subscribe to the transitive property, but it is nice to see more of Michigan's victories come over teams that could end up in the tournament

Royce White, Iowa State's Point Small Power Forward took over down the stretch of this game. White dominated Thomas Robinson, Jeff Withey and Kansas with his skilled and powerful drives to the basket. White finished with 18 points, 9 rebounds, and 5 assists. White doesn't normally look to score, but with buckets tough to come by, Iowa State rode their big man to victory. If this guy isn't an NBA lottery pick, I will be shocked, IMO he is the most talented big man M has faced this season, and yes, he is more talented than Jared Sullinger.

I get that you really like Royce White, and I agree that he's become a very good college player, but there's basically no chance that White goes in the lottery. When's the last time a 6'7" power forward got taken that high? Has there been anyone since Barkley?

Even after all their mid-season updates, White doesn't factor in DraftExpress or NBAdraft.net's top 100 prospects, and he's only moved up to number 70 on Chad Ford's board. You can argue that these guys are underrating him, but it's not like they don't know who he is or haven't seen him play. They just recognize that a guy who's ceiling is Anthony Mason and who's floor is in Germany is never going to be taken early in a draft.

He keeps going up up up. Anytime you have a player who can rebound well, doesn't look to score but can, and makes everyone on his team a better player with his playmaking and super vision and passing, you have a unique talent.

I guess you missed the part of the game today where Thomas Robinson could do nothing to stop White.

EDIT: The fallacy of your argument is Royce White as a Power Forward. White can play small forward at the next level, because of his ball handling and passing skills. He has to work on his shot. The guy is a match up nightmare. I have heard more than one analyst and Big 12 coach say he is the toughest match up in the league.

I'm definitely coming around to your point of view to the extent that I think White's a legit force in college. But NBA draft positions aren't handed out as certificates of college achievement; they're based on how scouts think you can play in the NBA. White isn't a 3 in the Association because there's no way he guards anybody on the perimeter, and (as of now) he can't shoot.

I think Anthony Mason is actually a pretty good player comparison (albeit definitely an optimistic one). Mason was very short for a 4 and couldn't shoot, but he could handle and pass very well for a big, and he used his strength to great effect. White could do these things as a pro, but don't expect league execs to line up to get him in the lottery.

IMO you got it backwards. First he can guard a three in the Association. Secondly their ain't a 3 in the league that White wouldn't be a tough match up. You can't teach 6'8'' 270 agile, strong and smart.

I've compared him to Webber (not a great comparison) because of his huge hands and passing ability. I've seen him compared to Anthony Mason, George McGinnis, and Jamal Mashburn as well. People see the talent. Another guy I would say is somewhat similar to White, is Metta World Peace.

White could start for the Piston's tomorrow and they would be a better team. Running a high low with Monroe and Royce White would be a joy to watch.

Really? I like discussing hoops but you have to at least be honest in your eval or admit you don't know what you are talking about. White's height isn't his important stat, it is his BBall acumen, size and skill.

As far as 1/10 Webber's athleticism; that is just ignorant. White was a 6'7'' 210 5* coming out of HS, and rated the #2 small forward in the country

who was (a) 6'10 and (b) an absurd athlete (at least early in his career. By the end of his career with the Kings he got by mostly on intelligence and passing ability). Being 6'10 versus 6'7 is a huge difference for a 4. And not being able to shoot is a huge problem for a 3. White is a good college player, but he's a pretty classic tweener, and tweener power forwards have an incredibly hard time succeeding in the NBA.

"As far as 1/10 Webber's athleticism; that is just ignorant. White was a 6'7'' 210 5* coming out of HS, and rated the #2 small forward in the country"

Chris Webber was the best high school player in the country in his class and, from everything I've read, probably the best high school player of his generation. White was Rivals' #2 SF and Scout's #10 PF (four stars). Webber was certainly a much, much better player overall, and if you watch video of them both at the same age, it's hard not to say that Webber was a vastly better athlete.

As for the idea that White can guard 3s in the NBA, this is ridiculous. Granted, he probably won't be able to check 4s well either given his lack of size, but there's just no way that a 270 lb guy with very average (at best) lateral quickness is able to keep NBA wings out of the lane.

you gordie. I was at that game today and White pretty much owned the second half. Mizzou's coach (can't think of his name right now) compared him to Magic if we want to go all Fred Jackson. But really, he has an amazing basketball IQ, handles the ball and sees the floor better than the majority of D1 point guards, has great post moves, and shoots free throws like Shaq (seriously, he has airballed at least 4 this year). But really, a guy with his skill set will end up in the lottery.

it to maybe 10 games football and basketball this year. ISU was on break for the Okie State football game so I ended up getting a ticket for $1 that was about 15 rows up on the end where they had OT. Cool story me all you want, that was the best dollar I've ever spent.

They had some major issues losing players to transfers the past few years and barely had enough to field a roster when Hoiberg signed on. Now that he's had some time to establish his style of play the transfers will die down.

Not really. Hoiberg jump started his program with transfers but seems intent on going the conventional route. Next season he has a class of 4 including Sherron Dorsey-Walker (Detroit Pershing). Hoiberg's initial class included Percy Gibson (Detroit Southeastern). Hoiberg is a force in the PSL

It's a nice weekend for our RPI so far. RealtimeRPI had us 20th going into today, and ISU and Purdue's wins should only help us. Playing OSU tomorrow will give our strength of schedule another boost. Even if we lose, our RPI may not drop.

Also, Memphis is starting to get it together - they're now 14-6. Here's our RealtimeRPI page: